Liquid treating apparatus



Jan. 26, 1960 Filed Oct. 18, 1957 s. l. WARD ET AL LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Jan. 26, 1960 s. I. WARD ETAL LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18, 1957 United StatesPatent O 2,922,525 LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS Samuel I. Ward, West Hartford, and Roger W. McCormack, Manchester, Conn., assignors to Crystal Research Laboratories, Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut This invention relates to liquid treatment systems and more particularly 'to water softening and demineralizing apparatus and the like.

A salient feature of the present invention is the provision of jet streams of -.liquid within the treatment con: tainer for fiuidizinga mass of ion exchange particles therein in order to enhance the efiiciency of the system. Another purpose of the invention is to provide a new and improved closure system for the apparatus whose liquid sealing effect is enhanced upon arise in pressure within the container. A further feature is the provision of "a new and improved means for preventing the clogging of the container outletby particles of the liquid treating material.

Still other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification.

The features of novelty which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth herein and will best be understood, both as to their fundamental principles and as to their particular embodiments, by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a partially broken away elevation of an embodiment of the present invention, also showing the manner in which it is connected to a liquid supply faucet;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical central section view, partly in elevation, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary central section view, partly in elevation, of the upper outlet portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a still further enlarged fragmentary section view .of the upper portion of the apparatus showing in somewhat exaggerated detail the arrangement of the parts when the container is under pressure;

Fig. 5 is a greatlyenlarged fragmentary section view, partly in elevation, of another'embodiment of the upper portion of the apparatus;

Figs. 6 and 7 are section views of two alternative embodiments of the distributor tube shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is an auxiliary screening sleeve which may be utilized in conjunction with the principal screening device on the inner end of the outlet tube of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 a container 11 made of polyethylene, glass, plastic or other suitable material, which is filled partially with a mass 12 of ion exchange resins or other particulate liquid treatment materials. Positioned horizontally in the interior of container 11 and spaced a short distance apart from the bottom thereof is a distributor jet tube 13, which extends through the wall of said container and is connected thereto by a liquid tight seel. Connected to that portion of tube 13 that extends outside of container 11 is one end of hose 14, the other end of which is attachable to the spout 15 of a faucet or the like, from which a stream of liquid to be treated is supplied under suitable pressure.

Distributor jet tube 13, which is closed at its inner end, has a plurality of pin sized apertures 16 arrayed 2 I substantially uniformly'around its circumference within the interior of container 11. See also Fig. 6. In one embodiment, the tube'has an internal diameter of and has fourteen longitudinal rows of thirty-two aperture 16, each being inthe order of .024 in diameter. Instead of being positioned completely circumferentially around tube 13, apertures -16 may otherwise be arranged in an arcuate array as shown in Fig. 7, or in any other suitable manner for producing a plurality of fine streams of liquid into the interior of container 11.

In other embodiments, the number and size of apertures 16 and their distribution pattern along jet tube 13 will be determined by such operating factors as the shape and volume of container 11, the particle size and characteristics of the ion exchange resins, and the desired rate of reaction. Tube 13 may extend any suitable distance across the diameter of container 11.

In one embodiment, the top surface of the mass 12 of the liquid treating materials reaches only to a short distance below the shoulder rim 17 of container 11 when said materials are fully expanded with absorbed or adsorbed liquid. Thus there remains a space within the container above mass 12 to permit the particles thereof to become agitated when jet streams of liquid are projected upwardly through thecontainer.

This agitation is produced by the liquid jet streams emerging at high velocity from jet apertures 16 whereby the resin particlesare fluidized and caused to resemble a boiling liquid in which the mass circulates in paths similar to convection currents and in random vortices and circles; This process of fluidizing the mass 12 of resin particles, or at least a major portion thereof, within the liquid rising and passing through container 11 effectively multiplies by a large factor the amount of time the particles are in contact with the liquid whereby the latter becomes quite fully treated even though the liquid passes through the container at greater speed than would obtain by slower seepage therethrough. In some preferred embodiments, the top surface of mass 12 at rest is between to /2" below shoulder rim 17.

The upper portion of container 11 has a sloping annular shoulder 18 which terminates in a circular neck 19 of somewhat smaller diameter than that of the container. The upper portion of neck 19 terminates in a narrowed circular throat 21, the exterior of which is threaded to cooperate with the interior threads of a circular cap 22. The top of cap 22 has a circular aperture 23 surrounded by an annular rim 24, the function of which' will be explained hereinbelow.

The upper interior end of throat 21 has an annular beveled land 25 arrayed approximately 60 from the horizontal and accommodating the annular beveled mating shoulder 26 of'circular plug 27. Plug 27 has a horizontally extending annular flange 28 whose bottom surface is spaced apart a slight distance from the upper end of throat"21.' Rim 2401? the cap 22 may have a downwardly extending annular ridge 29 which urges against the top of plug 27 when said cap is rotated downwardly to maintain shoulder 26 and land 25 in intimate contact with each other thereby producing a water tight seal therebetween. In some embodiments where cap 22 lacks ridge 29, rim 24 bears down directly upon the outer portion of the top of plug 27.

Plug 27 has a central aperture 30 which accommodates the vertical portion of outlet tube 31, the outer end of which may be curved in the manner shown in Fig. l

- for the delivery of treated or demineralized liquid into a suitable receiver. The internal diameter of circular aperture 30 of plug 27 is'sli-ghtly less than the outside circular diameter of tube 31, whereby a close fit is obtained between the two elements. In one embodiment, plug'27 and tube 31 are both made of a flexible plastic Patented Jan. 26, 196i) material uch as psly thv ene or the i e, a because of the wax-like characteristics of their surfaces, tube 31 can be readily rotated 360 within aperture 30 of plug 27, and may also-beraised or-lowered longitudinally within said aperture while maintaining agood liquid tight seal therebetween. In other embodiments, tube 31 may be made of metal such as brass, or of othersuitable materials, as may be specified or required.

During treatment of liquid by the apparatus herein, the pressure within container- 11 may increase to the point of exerting forces upwardly against the bottom of plug 27 whereby its central portion is caused to bulge upwardly due to the slight flexibility of the polyethylene. See Fig. 4. Aperture 23 permits this bulging action to take place while rim 24 of cap- 22 maintains pressure upon the peripheral areas of plug 27. Whenthisbulging action occurs the lower portion of aperture 30 in the plug decreases somewhat in diameter producing a circular pinching action-upon outlet tube 31 thereby enhancing the tightness of the seal betweenthe plug and said tube. This bulging action of plug27 also causes shoulder 26 to be urged with greater force-against mating land 25 thereby enhancing the seal between the plug and the throat of the container. Also, flange 28 is caused to be urged against the upper end of neck 21 with sufficient force to provide an auxiliary sealing means for preventing leakage of liquid through the closure assembly. Rim 24 of cap 22 serves as a lever for the bulging action of plug 26. The structure and arrangement of the various parts atthe upperend of the container are such that increasing pressure conditions therein result'in enhancing the surface contacts of all sealing areas thereby ensuring the eificacy of the apparatus.

.In some embodiments, there may be connectedto the internal end of outlet tube 31 a thimble-like screen tube 35 which extends downwardly'into the neck portion of container 11. The function of screen tube 35 is to pre- 4 ticles, the specific gravityof the liquidto be treated, the mesh of the screen, and other operational variables.

In some embodiments where the particle sizes of the fines in the ion exchange resins are quite minute, it may be desirable to supplement the screen element by a closely woven fabric sleeve 44, closed at its lower end, as shown in Fig, 8. Sleeve 44 may be slipped over thimble tube 35, and since the mesh of said sleeve is somewhat greater than that of tube. 35, exceedingly fine particles of the liquid treating materials can thereby be prevented from flowing through outlet tube 31. e i

In the specification, we have explained the principles of our invention, and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying those principles, so as to distinguish our invention from other inventions; and we have particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed the part, mode or combinationwhich we claim as, our invent particles of the ion exchange resins from emerging terials would be forced up against the screen and clog it and thereby reduce the flow of treated liquid through saidtube. The enlargement of the screen area results in a corresponding reduction of the pressure of the liquid at any particular portion of said screen, and such reduced pressure is sufiicient to permit the particles to drop from the screen by gravity instead of becoming imbedded therein or forced against it. of treated liquid is maintained through outlet tube 31.

It is to be understood that the particular shape of screen tube 35 is of secondary importance to the primary consideration of utilizing as large a screen area relative to the cross section area of the outlet tube as is possible within the structural limitations of the apparatus. If container 11 is provided with a large diameter throat 41, as shown in Fig. 5, for example, outlet tube 31 may have a conical inlet mouth 42 which is covered by a fiat screen 43. Here again, the flow area of the screen is considerably larger than the cross section flow area of outlet tube 31 whereby the pressure of the liquid flowing through any portion of the screen is lower than the pressure of the liquid flowing through outlet tube 31. Such reduced pressure permits particles of the ion exchange resins that are agitated against said screen to drop by gravity and, consequently, liquid flow through the outlet tube is unimpeded. In any case, the total respective areasv of the thimble type of screen, as shown in Fig. 3, and of flat screen 43, as shown in Fig. 5, will be determined by such qssitleratiens. as the dens y and Qtitb re n Par- In this manner, free flow vention or discovery.

While we have shown and described'certain preferred embodiments of our invention, it will be understood that modifications andchanges may be made without departing from the function and scope thereof, as will be clear to those skilled "in the art.

It is claimed:

1. Apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a container, a neck at the top of said container, a cap threadably connectible to said neck, acentral aperture in the top of said cap, an annular rim on said cap'surrounding said aperture, a plug secured between the top of said neck and the bottom of said rim, a centralaperture in said plug, a flexible outlet tube extending through the central aperture of said plug and fitting snugly therewith and extending also through the aperture in said cap, said plug being somewhat flexible and being capable of bowing centrally when said container is under pressure whereby the liquid sealing actions between said plug and said neck and between said plug and said outlet tube are enhanced.

2. Apparatus for treating liquids comprising a container, a neck at the top of'said container, a cap threadably connectible to said neck, a central aperture in the top of said cap, an annular rim on said cap surrounding said aperture, a circular plug of flexible material secured between the top of said neck and the bottom of said rim, an annular flange on said plug extending over the top of said neck and being normally spaced slightly apart therefrom, a central aperture in said plug, a flexible tube extending through said plug aperture and fitting snugly therewith and extending also through the cap aperture and into said neck, said plug'being capable of bowing centrally when said-container is under internal pressure whereby at least a portion of said plug aperture becomes reduced in'diameter to. more firmly engage the periphery of said tube and constrict thelatterto some extent so that the liquidsealing action therebetween is enhanced, said bowing action also causing said flange to flex whereby its bottom edge is urged against the top of the neck to enhance the liquid sealing action between said plug and said neck.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, and further comprising an annular ridge on the bottom surface of said rim, said ridge bearing against said flange when said cap is tightened upon said neck.

4. Apparatus for treating liquids comprising a container made offiexible plastic material, a neck at the top of said container, a, circular cap thread'ably connectible to said neck, a central aperture in the top of said cap, a rim on said cap surrounding said aperture, an annular beveled land at the mouth of said neck, a circular plug of flexible plastic material, an annular beveled shoulder on said plug adapted to mate intimately with said beveled; land by said, rim. when said cap is threadablytightened onto, said, neck, an annular flange,

mil aperture in said plug, a flexible tube extending through said plug aperture and fitting snugly therewith and extending also through the cap aperture and into said neck, said plug being capable of bowing centrally when said container is under internal pressure whereby at least a portion of said plug aperture becomes reduced in diameter to more firmly engage the periphery of said tube and constrict the latter to some extent so that the liquid sealing action therebetween is enhanced, said bowing action also causing said flange to flex whereby its bottom edge is urged against the top of the neck to enhance the liquid sealing action between said plug and said neck.

5. Apparatus for treating liquids comprising a container, a neck at the top of said container, a cap threadably connccti-ble to said neck, a central aperture in the top of said cap, an annular rim on said cap surrounding said aperture, a circular plug of flexible material secured between the top of said neck and the bottom of said rim, a central aperture in said plug, a flexible outlet tube extending through said plug aperture and fitting snugly therewith and extending also through the aperture in said cap and into said neck, said plug being capable of bowing centrally when said container is under internal pressure whereby at least a portion of said plug aperture becomes reduced in diameter to more firmly engage the periphery of said tube and constrict the latter to some extent so that the liquid sealing action therebetween is enhanced.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said outlet tube and said plug are made of polyethylene whereby said outlet tube is rotatable on its own longitudinal axis within said plug without affecting the liquid sealing juncture therebetween.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, and further comprising a horizontal inlet tube near the bottom of the interior of said container, said inlet tube communicating with the exterior of said container, a plurality of holes pierced in said inlet tube, said holes being arrayed in such a manner as to be capable of projecting liquid into the interior of said container in the form of a plurality of jet streams.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, and further comprising a mass of particulate liquid treating materials partially filling said container, the inner end of said outlet tube extending into the interior of said container, 3. screen mounted over the inner end of said outlet tube, said screen being spaced apart some distance from the top of said materials when the latter are at rest, the area of said screen being substantially greater than the cross section area of the interior of said outlet tube, and the mesh of said screen being suificient to prevent passage of said materials into said outlet tube.

9. Apparatus for treating liquids comprising a container of flexible plastic material, a neck at the top of said container, a circular cap threadably connectible to said neck, a central aperture in the top of said cap, a rim on said cap surrounding said aperture, an annular beveled land at the mouth of said neck, a circular plug of flexible plastic material, an annular beveled shoulder on said plug adapted to mate with said beveled land, said rim urging said plug against the mouth of said neck when said cap threadably engages said neck, a central aperture in said plug, an outlet tube of flexible plastic material extending through said central aperture and fitting snugly therewith, said tube also extending freely through the aperture in said cap, and an annular flange on said plug extending laterally beyond said shoulder, the bottom surface of said flange being spaced slightly apart from the end of said neck, said rim causing said flange to be urged downwardly upon the end of said neck and causing said plug to be centrally bowed upwardly, thereby reducing the diameter of at least a portion of the aperture in said plug when said cap is threadably tightened upon said neck.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, and further comprising an annular ridge on the bottom surface of said rim, said ridge bearing against said flange when said cap is tightened upon said neck.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,661,488 McGill Mar. 6, 1928 2,067,302 7 Pick Jan. 12, 1937 2,647,871 Frazier Aug. 4, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 435, 25 r a ri ai p 2 1 5. 

